A business boss from Chellaston has been given a six-month speeding ban after failing to provide evidence that the disqualification would lead to the loss of 62 jobs.

Bentley-driving Jason Rowan, who is the managing director of the Ilkeston firm EnergySave, spent £12,000 fighting the case after being clocked at 57mph on February 3 last year on the A52 dual carriageway at Bramcote, where the limit is 40mph.

When found guilty the father-of-three, of Rosyth Crescent, launched a fresh claim, saying a disqualification would cause "exceptional hardship" with the loss of 62 jobs and the closure of two of his offices.

The 45-year-old claimed the company had already lost customers after a BBC Watchdog programme filmed a salesman for the firm talking to someone with Alzheimer's disease.

The company was accused of aggressive selling and targeting elderly or vulnerable people but Rowan said he was "astounded" by the claims which had been "sensationalised". He said this caused sales to plunge and he had to reduce his 300-strong workforce to 120 in two months.

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But he failed to attend the hearing held at Nottingham Magistrates' Court or to provide details from an accountant to support his case that the ban would harm his business further and would lead to closing offices in Derby and Leicester with the loss of another 62 jobs.

District Judge Tim Spruce fined him £750 and ordered him to pay £930 prosecution costs and a Government surcharge of £120. The ban was imposed because he already had speeding points on his licence.

The judge said: "I find it very difficult for me to establish a link between Mr Rowan's ability to drive and the closure of two offices.